Instant Analysis: Cowboys defense can't seal win against Packers

Instant Analysis: Cowboys defense can't seal win against Packers

In the cruelest form of deja vu, Aaron Rodgers again led the Green Bay Packers to a late-game win over the Dallas Cowboys, 34-31. With the stakes lower than the last time these two teams squared off, this loss is still costly, as it drops Dallas to 2-3 on the 2017 season and two games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys will limp into their bye week, needing to turn things around ASAP before the season truly gets out of hand.

It was over when…

… Aaron Rodgers found DaVante Adams over Jourdan Lewis for a 12-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left to put Green Bay on top 35-31. It was the sixth and decisive lead change of the game.

Game Balls

Dak Prescott – From the jump, Prescott was in control of the Cowboys offense, driving it in a way it’s seldom looked in recent weeks. He was able to extend plays with his legs, finding Brice Butler off a scramble for a 49 yard gain early in the first quarter. He had a few questionable decisions while trying to avoid sacks, but nothing burned him except a pass that bounced off Terrance Williams and returned for a pick-six in the fourth quarter. All told, he threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns and one pick, completing 25 of 36 passes.

David Irving: In Irving’s 2017 season debut, he continued to terrorize Aaron Rodgers, registering two sacks and five total tackles. Irving provided an additional presence along the interior of Dallas’s better-than-expected pass rush. Again, the Cowboys were unfortunately unable to generate pressure against Aaron Rodgers at the end of the game, but between Irving, DeMarcus Lawrence, Maliek Collins and Damontre Moore, Dallas should have their full arsenal of pass rushers ready to go for the rest of the season.

Ezekiel Elliott: In three career games against the Packers, Ezekiel Elliott has 398 rushing yards. He started slowly in this game, and then exploded in the second half, opening the fourth quarter with a 25 yard gain. He finished the day with 116 rushing yards on 29 carries, and was the focal point of the 8 minute, 43 second Dallas drive that they nearly closed the game with. Ultimately, the 73 seconds the Cowboys left Aaron Rodgers with were still too many.

Key Stat

6.4 – Green Bay yards per rushing attempt. Rookie fifth rounder Aaron Jones put up 125 rushing yards on only 19 carries against the Cowboys, also scoring a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers chipped in another 32, including an utterly back-breaking 18 yard scamper on 3rd and 8 with 0:29 left in the game. Dallas has allowed three 100+ yard rushers this season after not allowing one all last season, and giving up the fewest total rushing yards.

Quick Takes

Even with Anthony Hitchens back in fold, the linebacking corps is sorely lacking without Sean Lee. Hitches was able to show up at times, making six total tackles and breaking up a pass in the end zone, but on a team-level, the tackling Dallas displayed was putrid. Jaylon Smith struggles with making plays out on the edge, constantly seeming a step slow. This Cowboys defense is always going to be stretched thin against the NFL’s best offenses, and without their best defender in Lee, it’s going to struggle to stay afloat.

The whispers doubting Dez Bryant’s abilities are growing louder, and he’s hearing them. Bryant was able to do damage against a banged up Green Bay secondary, and although the big play was lacking, he still delivered a signature physical game, catching five of eight targets for 52 yards and one touchdown. Quietly, Bryant is up to three touchdowns and 264 receiving yards on the year, with still plenty of time left in the season to do damage.

Similar to last week against the Rams, Dallas started the second half slowly and quickly saw their lead evaporate. The Cowboys like to receive the ball first to open the games, but the defense has struggled when asked to step up to begin the second half. Up by 15 points at one point in the first half, Dallas was outscored 23-10 in the second. The third quarter is a crucial time of the game for the Cowboys, and they must do a better job coming out of halftime going forward.

Dallas was penalized seven times for 70 total yards, many of the penalties being of the dumb and drive-extending variety. Many things haven’t gone the Cowboys way to open the season, but they must keep in check what they can control. They simply cannot afford to commit costly penalties and give opposing offenses more opportunities.

Despite being beat for the game-winning score, Jourdan Lewis still managed to look like the best Dallas defender at times. He registered seven total tackles (five solo), and broke up multiple passes. The Cowboys are still shuffling around their secondary pieces, but Lewis figures to in-line for a big role as the season progresses.

Email

Like this article?

Sign up for the Cowboys Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Cowboys Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.